Ever find yourself sitting on your couch beside a stack of clothes you said you'd fold yesterday? How about struggling to close the cabinet that has canned goods competing for escape? While these individual scenarios seem harmless, over time the clutter can affect you in numerous ways. 

When you're sitting on your couch and looking at all the trinkets you have in your entertainment unit, you'll have a difficult time focusing on the tv since the clutter will draw your attention. If you're faced with a similar situation as above, label your cords and hide them at the back of the unit to remedy the clutter. 

Perhaps your entertainment unit isn't bothering you because you can't even find a way to sit on your couch. Having a pile up similar to the picture above will send a signal to your brain that your work is never done. It will also cause you to feel anxious since there is no definitive end in sight for cleaning up. It's essential to deal with a situation like this as soon as possible so that your brain can stop sending you panic signals about the mess.  

While panicking about a mess is a common occurrence in a cluttered home, another emotion that is typically felt is frustration. One of the most frustrating things in life is undoubtedly searching for keys when in a hurry to exit the house. To resolve this problem, ensure that your key is always kept in the same place - a bowl at the entrance or hanging on a hook is always your best options.

Lastly, if you're skeptical about how clutter can affect you, consider this: Have you ever found yourself frantically cleaning 10 minutes before your guest arrives? Well, it's because clutter creates feelings of guilt and embarrassment. 

So the next time you toss a towel on your couch or your keys in an abyss of clutter, consider how instead you could be living a life with more relaxation and less frustration. 

Cover photo: unsplash